Nguyen Thuy Linh made headlines in Paris with a stunning 2-0 victory over former world No. 1 Ratchanok Intanon, advancing to the second round of the 2025 Badminton World Championships.

Facing a formidable opponent in the opening round, world No. 22 Nguyen Thuy Linh delivered one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by defeating Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, currently ranked 10th in the world.

After 45 minutes of intense action, Thuy Linh secured a straight-set win, 21-17, 21-18, showcasing both her stamina and mental strength in decisive moments.

The match featured numerous hard-fought rallies, but Thuy Linh consistently pulled ahead at the end of each set to close the match efficiently. This is her second career win over Ratchanok, following a triumph at the Thailand Open earlier in 2024.

Ratchanok Intanon is a legendary figure in Thai badminton, having held the world No. 1 spot in 2016 and claimed the world title in 2013 at just 18 years old. Her extensive accolades across Asia and the SEA Games highlight the significance of Thuy Linh’s victory - not only for her personal standing but also for the growing stature of Vietnamese badminton on the global stage.

Moving into round two, Vietnam’s top female shuttler will face Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, currently ranked 28th in the world. The match is expected to be evenly matched, offering Thuy Linh a strong chance to reach the third round for the first time at this prestigious tournament.

Thien Binh